Flint Group | 91Flint Group Evolution Series Deinking Primer enables ink release from shrink sleeve without contaminating the PET bottleSustainable inks and coatings support circular economy Flint Group Narrow Web has introduced the Evolution Series of inks and coatings along with new test facilities to help brands meet tough new sustainability targets for labels and packaging. Adrian Tippetts reports overnments worldwide are setting ambitious packaging “Olsson says the Evolution Series recycling and emissions targets. Early in 2018 the European Commission launched a European Strategy for Plastics in a Ghas already attracted strong Circular Economy with ambitious targets for the plastics industry: • All plastics must be recyclable by 2030 interest from brand owners as • 50 percent of plastics must be recycled by 2025 well as from converters since its Furthermore, The European Commission has begun a review of the Food Packaging Regulations and impact on recycling aimed to introduction in September 2021”be ready latest Q4 2022. In addition to governmental demands, over 100 brand owners have signed up to the US Plastics Pact’s fve-year affecting the recycling process have been an obstacle to recycling plan. Commitments include using on average 30 percent of PET and polyethylene sleeves and bottles. The key driver is to prove recycled or bio-based content by 2025, recycling 50 percent of that the recycled material (recyclate) is of suffcient quality to be plastic packaging by that date and making all plastic packaging reused without discoloration or changing characteristics of the reusable, recyclable or compostable. The plan also sets out a plastic bottle.policy for identifying and phasing out harmful or unnecessary In Europe, there is an additional concern regarding the possible packaging materials, improving infrastructure and incentives to contamination of recyclates for food contact materials (NIAS). increase recycling. There are guidelines from bodies such as RecyClass and the The goal is to move from a linear economy – where materials European PET Bottle Forum (EPBP) that demand the use of are taken from the Earth, used and thrown away as waste – to a non-toxic inks as classifed by Eupia, the European Printing ‘circular economy’ where waste is turned into raw materials that Ink Association. are kept in use, reducing the need for virgin plastic. The rates of plastic waste recovery must rise signifcantly Sustainability guidance– and fast. According to the Ellen Macarthur Foundation, a In North America, Flint Group Narrow Web’s frst action was charity that promotes the circular economy, only 14 percent to join the Association of Plastics Recyclers. This association of plastic is recycled – the rest going to landfll, incineration or includes member companies at all stages of the packaging unmanaged dumping. supply chain, working to enhance quality and increase supply Flint Group Narrow Web saw the potential for signifcantly of recyclable plastic. improving the sustainability of packaging through optimizing The APR plays an important role in setting standards that inks and coatings. The choice of ink used, along with the printing are globally acknowledged, enabling products to be brought to and drying process, will affect the recyclability and the overall market faster. It also provides design guides to help producers eco-footprint of the packaging it is used for. create recycle-friendly packages, rigorous testing protocols to Diffculties with removing ink without staining plastic or evaluate a product’s recyclability, and recognition programs Jan - Mar 2022